The Next Big Give Finalists Announced
Dallas Market Center, the world’s most complete wholesale resource, today announced the 10 finalists for The Next Big Give, a national search for specialty retailers that give back in their communities. The finalists are retailers involved in a variety of ways through volunteering, raising funds or donating goods.
“Congratulations to all of The Next Big Give finalists,” said Bill Winsor, president and CEO, Dallas Market Center. “We are honored to recognize the admirable work of each of these retailers and look forward to honoring the winners.”
The Next Big Give 2012 finalists are:
A. Dodson’s — Suffolk, Va.
This gift, home décor and apparel store has donated to charity since its opening more than 10 years ago, but owner Kim Glover wanted a way to focus its giving efforts. Her search led to the development of A. Dodson’s Round Up, a program allowing customers to round up the cost of each purchase to the nearest dollar and have the extra cents donated to charity. A. Dodson’s publishes a poll on its Facebook page in order for customers to choose the cause the Round Up funds will be donated to at the end of each month. In 2011, A. Dodson’s gave more than $2,500 to various charity organizations.
Advantage Bridal — Torrance, Calif.
Stemming from her personal experience with breast cancer and reconstructive surgery, bridal store owner Sandy Keller founded Breastoration, an organization that provides assistance to financially-challenged and uninsured women seeking reconstructive surgery after undergoing mastectomy, along with two other breast cancer survivors. Breastoration also distributes breast cancer-related educational materials and has its own line of pink ribbon themed apparel and accessories, which are sold at Advantage Bridal. The proceeds from this line go to Breastoration’s efforts. The first Breastoration fundraising event in September 2011 raised more than $100,000. 
Belladonna — New Orleans, La.
After being heavily involved in dog rescue efforts following Hurricane Katrina, owner Kim Dudek founded Dag’s House, a non-profit housing and rehabilitation center for special needs dogs. This venture was funded almost entirely by her day spa and home accents store, Belladonna. Dudek also recently founded Belladoggie, a dog rehabilitation facility that is an extension of both Belladonna and
Dag’s House.
Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy — Tyler, Texas Founded in 1928, Brookshire’s grocer has now grown to more than 150 stores. Through its Community Connections program, each store is able to focus on the charitable needs of the community in which it is located. The company makes more than 800 charitable contributions each year. One notable effort was its World War II Heroes Flight in May 2011, in which Brookshire’s sent 33 World War II veterans to Washington, District of Columbia, all expenses paid, where they visited several war memorials and the U.S. Capitol building.
Capitol Lighting — Boca Raton, Fla.
The owners and employees at this lighting and home fixtures store have contributed hundreds of thousands in cash and merchandise to more than 100 charitable organizations in recent years. The store’s current focus is on Habitat for Humanity. Capitol Lighting not only donates lighting fixtures to the organization’s home building efforts, but the store’s employees also donate volunteer time by being hands on in the building process. Capitol Lighting’s “Making Lives Brighter” campaign is running through February 2012, and gives customers the opportunity to donate to Habitat for Humanity in exchange for a discount.
Elizabeth Fashions — Schererville, Ind.
Eight years ago, Owner Elizabeth Woodbury was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease. Soon after, she founded the Annual Style Show to Benefit Parkinson Disease which is sponsored by her women’s apparel boutique. All of the proceeds from this event are donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the American Parkinson Disease Association. To date, more than $190,000 has been raised for the two organizations through Elizabeth’s event. The 8th annual Style Show will be held in May 2012.
Here on the Corner — Tempe, Ariz.
After buying the women’s apparel and accessories boutique in May 2011, Owner Julie Kent set a goal for her employees—the store would hold a fundraising event each month. One of the store’s most successful events was A Race for Maggie’s Place, which included a 10K, 9K, and 5K run, with all of the proceeds benefitting Maggie’s Place, a community of housing for homeless pregnant women. Here on the Corner was the title sponsor for the event and allocated approximately $5,000 to fund t-shirts, prizes, and gift bags for the event. 
Peacock Alley — Dallas, Texas
Inspired by the charitable work of his mother, owner Jason Needleman has worked through his luxury home interiors and bedding business with Community Partners of Dallas (CPD) for more than 15 years. One of the main focuses of Peacock Alley’s giving efforts is the CPD Toy Drive. Each year, Jason heads the toy drive and donates 5,000 square feet of Peacock Alley warehouse space to house the toys collected through the drive. Peacock Alley also serves as a drop off point for the toy drive and the distribution center for the organization and wrapping of the toys.
University of Colorado Hospital Gift Shop — Aurora, Colo.
Founded in 1957 by volunteers from the University of Colorado Hospital Faculty Wives Club, the hospital gift shop donates 100 percent of its annual profits to fund patient care projects that are not part of the regular hospital budget. The donations are allotted to various needs including improving patients’ stay in the hospital, the support of indigent patient needs, assisting patients and their families as they cope with serious illness, and much more. Over the years, more than 1 million dollars has been donated through the gift shop’s efforts.
Walk on Water — Longwood, Fla.
Owner Roxane Mann has made the mission of her gift, accessories and apparel boutique to make a difference in the lives of those in their community. The store’s charitable efforts go to numerous causes. Recently, Walk on Water held a 5K for Safehouse of Seminole, a local domestic abuse shelter for women and children. The event had more than 400 participants and raised more than $10,000 for the organization. The store also sells a special themed t-shirt each month to raise money for various causes. The proceeds from the current “Believe” shirt are donated to a young girl with brain cancer.
Two The Next Big Give winners will be announced on February 14, 2012 and receive a complimentary trip to the March 22-25, 2012 Market in Dallas including round-trip airfare from anywhere in the continental U.S. and three nights hotel stay.
While at Market, The Next Big Give winners will be recognized during The Inspired Event, a cocktail party benefiting a charitable cause. The winners will share their stories of giving back in hopes to inspire others to do the same.
Retailers either nominated themselves or were nominated by a manufacturer, a sales representative, buyer or customer. The finalists were selected by a panel of industry experts and Dallas Market Center representatives.
For additional information on the contest visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com/contests/give or e- mail thenextbiggive@mcmcmail.com. Also, keep up-to-date on market information on Dallas Market Center’s Facebook and Twitter.
About Dallas Market Center
Founded in 1957, Dallas Market Center is the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace. Within its marketplace of more than five million square feet, retailers from around the globe source products ranging from home furnishings, gifts, decorative accessories and lighting to textiles, fashion accessories and men’s, western, women’s and children’s apparel. With more than 50 markets each year attended by more than 200,000 retail buyers from all 50 states and 78 countries, Dallas Market Center offers hundreds of events and seminars geared toward helping retailers expand business and increase profits. As a result, more than $8 billion in estimated wholesale transactions are conducted annually within the Dallas Market Center complex. The Dallas Market Center website is available at www.dallasmarketcenter.com.
